Refined by F.I.R.E.

When most people first hear of the F.I.R.E. (Financial Independence Retire Early) movement it’s natural to assume the movement is all about money and being free, however we would be wrong.

In truth the F.I.R.E. movement is about self-discovery, our authenticity, experiences and our journey towards personal mastery. The mastery of being able to better define, develop and live our own authenticity and to add value to others.

I don’t know who came up with F.I.R.E. as an acronym, if it was Peter, Vicki or a general consensus, however, the acronym resonates with more than just the goal in itself,

F.I.R.E is the distilled aspiration of the movement. Just as FIRE being an energy refines and purifies all things.

I also think it’s important to take a moment and dispel a broadly embraced belief about the F.I.R.E. movement.

That is its popularism and promotion of saving money as the primary passage to achieving financial freedom and independence..

Promoting how to save and save more is a symptom of the movement rather than the true cause of the F.I.R.E. movement

For example, If you were to ask me to describe who you are?

Before I tell you I would ask to see all your bank account transactions.

Why? Because by the financial choices you/we/I make and what we spend your money,

These very specific transaction define our values and reveal what is truly important to us. To ourselves and others.

Therefore, our saving or lack of, is not the result of our efforts but a symptom of our choices.

Interestingly as the popularity of the F.I.R.E. movement grows, so is its identity being challenged.

Many individuals of the F.I.R.E. tribe self-promote their successes of achieving financial independence sooner and sooner in life. Along with examples of how they require less and less each time and at the same time espouse of ever more creative ways others can achieve and maintain their financial independence milestone.... And they should subscribe to their blog with affiliated links.... Smirk >..<

To those of you who do (the above) I challenge you to ask yourself. Are you merely happy or truly satisfied?

There is a difference. A big difference. Happiness is fleeting, satisfaction is fulfilling.

My fear is many in the F.I.R.E movement maybe more motivated to achieve the goal of financial independence and brag about it, than being motivated by the opportunity to behave more authentically and be of greater value to others.

Which brings me to my final thoughts and observations of many within the F.I.R.E. movement.

Escapism.

Escapism and its attainment is a fallacy. None of us are escaping, none of us are getting out of here alive.

Financial independence on its own, is not our solution. For many its allure and the effort required for its attainment is like every other form of escapism.

True fulfillment and mastery in life is attained through embracing all of it and its daily challenges including the unknown rather than seeking to escape it..

We are purified, strengthened, polished, attract and are appreciated more by others not for the things we have achieved but for the value we add to them and ways we have improved their quality of life.

This is why I have embraced the movement. Not because of F.I.R.E. but because of its real power in empowering self-discovery, authenticity, sharing in experiences and helping others while on our own journey of personal mastery.

Living each day in truth and expressing "our way of being", we not only improve our own quality of life. We fan a universal flame and legacy for the F.I.R.E. movement, inspiring others throughout the world as a living example how we CAN make it a better place for all and our children’s children.

This post was written by Peter Horsfield, as such they are his personal views.